THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
141 
hence it can never be well grown in the immediate vicinity of large 
towns. Good and retentive sod soil from old pasture, of this four 
parts, enriched with the other part of old cow manure, and two of 
decaying leaves or rough vegetable mould, afford it the most accept- 
able medium of growth. Though the leaf-mould is not wholly 
necessary, yet it will ever be found, both in respect to the Auricula 
and Polyanthus, that wherever there occurs in the soil a little mass 
of decaying leaves and sticks, there the roots will be most numerous 
and vigorous. Such practical hints or natural tendencies the 
observant florist ever treasures up, and it is by their observation 
and application that he becomes a more successful cultivator than 
his fellows. 
Now, the above advice is admirable for persons who may probably 
have a garden possessing any situation they may think proper to 
choose for their favourites ; but I am confined to a small rectangular 
slip, bounded by low walls, and therefore I have to suit my practice 
to my position. I am ever anxious to have the greatest display I 
possibly can in all my borders, be they shady or not, in early spring, 
and therefore, as Polyanthuses are well adapted for my purpose, I 
plant them plentifully all round my garden in autumn, after my 
bedding plants are removed ; they stand there all the winter, re- 
quiring no protection, and in spring they come into bloom beauti- 
lully. This season they have been, and are still, quite the admiration 
of all who have seen them. As soon as they have done blooming I 
move them to a shady corner, where I keep them all the summer, 
and by autumn they are in good condition for transplanting again 
into the open borders. 
Such, then, is the treatment I give this my favourite spring 
flower. If required for the purpose of exhibition, or for ornament- 
ing a cool, airy greenhouse, or even a cold frame, they may readily 
be taken up with a ball of earth without injury, and potted, being 
at the same time liberally supplied with water. When no longer 
required for such purposes, they must be returned to their summer 
quarters. 
PLANTING THE BEDS FOR SUMMER, 
jJAVING decided of what your stock of summer flowers 
shall consist, and where you will place them, a few 
directions on the subject of planting may be useful. If 
you have your plants cle novo from a nursery, they 
should by all means be in pots ; either purchased so, or 
potted by yourself. A great number of handsome flowers may be 
procured for a small sum, unpotted ; and if you put one of each 
kind in a small pot, and shade them for a day or two in a cold frame, 
they will soon be established. You will thus have your plants 
ready for turning out when the season suits and the beds are readv, 
without the risk of losing them by drought and sunshine — the great 
May. 
